Usha International along with Delhi Golf Club hosted former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara recently.
Addressing the gathering, Lara said: “It’s amazing to see this kind of work. I am really happy and honoured to be here, and it’s all thanks to Usha, a company that’s iconic and a legend in its own right. It gives me great pleasure to see a company invested in active and healthy living and creating inclusive platforms that give an opportunity to everyone to shine. They have a greater purpose, way above business, and that is what resonates with me.”
WatConsult has bagged the e-commerce planning and management duties for Avvatar Sports Nutrition, a brand owned by Parag Milk Foods.
Said Rajiv Dingra, Founder and CEO, WatConsult: “It is our pleasure to have Avvatar Sports Nutrition on board. With so many fitness apps and brands making a foray, the sports nutrition market is witnessing an encouraging surge and is indeed expected to grow in the coming future. With our ecommencify consult suite, we ensure that our clients have the right mix of strategy, technology and organisational construct to persevere, compete and scale in commerce solutions. Thus, we look forward to helping the brand strengthen its digital journey.”
Added Akshali Shah, Senior VP – Sales and Marketing, Parag Foods: “We are delighted to announce that we have selected WatConsult ecommencify as our e-commerce partner after a meticulous selection process. We believe their expertise will take the brand to the next level through a more performance-driven approach. Through this partnership, we are sure we will be able to strengthen our brand’s outreach on e-commerce platforms multifold.”
Image courtesy a screengrab of the popular game Pacman
By A Correspondent
In 1974, the veteran Alyque Padamsee commissioned one of the biggest event organiser Rehamatali Tobaccowala to launch Rexona in India. Tobaccowala wa known as one of the biggest wedding celebrations in Mumbai and beyond. And then Rehmatbhai, as he was popularly called, was involved with the Indian versions of Evita, Man of La Mancha and Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2016, Shobiz Experiential Chairman and Managing Director passed away at the age of 84. When in the early 1990s, this correspondent was to introduced to Rehamatali Tobacowala as the Father of the Indian Events and Experential Industry, the sector itself was in its infancy.
Today, three years after Rehamatbhai’s his company was acquired by leading communications marketing services conglomerated Havas for what’s being billed as a handsome sum.
This is Havas’s third acquisition in 2019, and perhaps its biggest. Shobiz may not be the #1 in size, but it’s decidedly the first and most experienced experiential agency. It employs over 300 professionals across its five offices in India. According to industry sources, a few years back Shobiz was close to inking a deal with WPP, but that didn’t happe. The current acquisition by Havas took over a year to fructify.
Headquartered in Mumbai, the Shobiz portfolio boasts of over 142 recurring clients. While Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, Shobiz will continue to oversee the business along with Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO, Havas Group India & South East Asia, the daily operations will be led by COO Tejpal Singh Patpatia who will report into Rana Barua, CEO Havas Group India.
In May this year Havas Group acquired Think Design, the leader in user experience consultancy and design in India, followed by the acquisition of Langoor a full-service digital agency led and driven by creative technologists in September this year.
said Sameer Tobaccowala, CEO, Shobiz:
“Crafting unforgettable brand experiences has the power to engage consumers in ways not seen before. Havas Group’s integrated approach to brand building coupled with their entrepreneurial spirit resonated with us. We are confident that this collaboration will unlock unprecedented growth opportunities for us and forge stronger consumer connections that foster trust, loyalty and business results. We are thrilled to be a part of Havas and look forward to a meaningful journey ahead, together,”
Said Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO Havas Group comments in a statement: “India has increasingly become a priority for Havas, and even more so over the past 12 months. With the acquisition of Shobiz we have delivered on our ambitious growth plan to triple our footprint in India. Shobiz’s talented teams are renowned for their solid track record and their excellence in the planning and flawless execution of complex events. After strengthening our local digital and service design capabilities with the acquisitions of Think Design and Langoor, we can now significantly boost our activation and experiential offer on the rapidly growing events market in India. Shobiz is a precious addition to Havas and I welcome them warmly.”
Added Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO, Havas Group India & South East Asia:
“Experiential marketing is a critical component of an integrated approach to brand building as consumers are demanding personalized and meaningful interactions across all touchpoints. The acquisition of Shobiz will further strengthen the breadth of our multi-disciplinary Village model of working and bring on board a different kind of creative skills set. Shobiz’s transformation from a leading production house to be one of the country’s leading experiential communications agency is impressive and I am delighted to welcome Sameer and his entire team to the Havas family.”
Said Rana Barua, CEO Havas Group India: “Shobiz’s acquisition adds an enviable strength to Havas Group with its forte in the experiential space. Shobiz’s thirst for innovation, impact and results, adds tremendous value to our existing offerings as a group, and seamlessly fits in with Havas Group’s multi-faceted, integrated, client centric “Village” style of working, giving us a distinctive advantage and making it a much stronger force to reckon with.”
So what’s next for Havas. Accordiing to the grapevine, it has started discussions with a few leading PR agencies for a buy. But that’s possibly next year.
CenturyPly has announced a digital campaign #HardcoreHappySoul to encourage fitness enthusiasts to get more people into the habit of fitness.
Said Sanjay Agarwal, Managing Director of CenturyPly: “This is our humble effort to grow the number of people into the fitness tribe. After all, a fit nation is a hit nation. The aim for the campaign is to emphasize on the inner strength for a happier soul, which is synonymous with our brand values. At CenturyPly, we give paramount importance to the inner strength of our products that resonates through the beautiful exteriors. This similarity between the aim of the campaign and the core messaging of the brand is the primary reason for taking up this initiative in the first place.”
92.7 Big FM has launched of ‘TreePublic’, a cause which supports plantation of trees and throws light on the importance of plantation. This is in partnership with IDFC First.
Speaking about the cause and collaboration, Asheesh Chatterjee, Chief Business Officer and Chief Finance Officer, Big FM said: “Our purpose-driven initiatives have always strived to bring positive change in our society. We understand the importance of a clean and green environment and with the ongoing situation of hazardous air, it was important to make our listeners aware about the significance of environment. Through TreePublic, we aim to plug in the value of plantation. We are happy to collaborate with IDFC First Bank.”
Adding to this, Shreepad Shende, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, IDFC First Bank said: “To commemorate the first anniversary of IDFC First Bank, we are delighted to launch the ‘TreePublic’ initiative in partnership with 92.7 Big FM. Customers now not only have an opportunity to grow their wealth with 7 per cent interest per annum on their savings account but also to grow trees for a better and greener future.”
Aditya Birla Health Insurance announced the launch of its latest campaign – ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’– an awareness campaign that urges women to complete the protection circle by influencing and purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families.
Speaking about the campaign, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited said: “As a brand, we are committed to provoking our customers to self-realize their protection needs and to opt for the right health insurance solution. At Aditya Birla Capital our constant endeavour is to share all perspectives on life and money with our customers so that they can make an informed decision for what’s right for them and their family. With ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’, we intend to leave women with the following questions, ‘Are you doing enough to protect your health?’ ‘Is your family completely protected?’ A self-realization will help them veer the family conversation and discussion towards taking adequate protection for their and their family’s health.”
The film has been conceptualized and implemented by Abstract Films.
Ethnic fashion brand for women Biba has appointed Publicis India as its creative agency. Won after a multi-agency pitch, Publicis India will be providing full-service responsibilities including advertising, strategic direction and brand activation ideas. The account will be serviced out of New Delhi. Biba, it may be recalled, is known for its ‘hat ke’ creative work by Lowe Lintas.
Siddharath Bindra
Commenting on the appointment, Siddharath Bindra, Managing Director, Biba Apparels said: “I am happy to associate with Publicis as our communication partner for our brand Biba as the company brings quality of experience with them. For Biba; we always look for a partner who can understand and resonate with the aesthetic of the brand and we saw this in the Team and the work they presented. We look forward to partnering with them.”
Srija Chatterjee
On winning the account, Srija Chatterjee, Managing Director, Publicis India added: “We are delighted to have Biba Apparels as our client. It also feels great that our strategic approach and communication idea found resonance with what Biba has in mind for the Indian market and hope to maintain the brand as a favourite of Indians. To reinterpret a brand’s strength is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are looking forward to working on it.”
82.5 Communications has won the advertising mandate for mithai and namkeen major Haldiram’s (North). Haldiram’s is also a major exporter and caters to the Indian diaspora based in the US, UK, Europe, Middle East and Australia.
Sumanto Chattopadhyay
Speaking on the win, Sumanto Chattopadhyay, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, 82.5 Communications said: “It is a privilege to partner Haldiram’s in their communication endeavours. Haldiram’s set the benchmarks for the heights that Indian entrepreneurship can reach, an achievement that resonates with the spirit of 82.5.”
Pankaj Agarwal
Added Pankaj Agarwal, Managing Director, Haldiram’s: “We were impressed by some of the work done by 82.5 Communications for their other clients and we hope that they create some superlative work for our brand as well.”
The next Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is a little over two years away, but it’s one government agency that’s much hated and abused.
Perhaps as an attempt to address this, the BMC has commissioned Lowe Lintas Mumbai, the municipal body aims to highlight how its efforts contribute to Mumbai’s welfare. Hmmm.
Talking about the multi-film campaign, Anaheeta Goenka, President, Lowe Lintas said: “It was an interesting task from a perspective of discovery, about the BMC. But the best way to approach it was by being authentic and honest. As ‘restless Mumbai’ needs ‘restless Mumbaikars’ to keep it going. Real truths were unearthed and real stories told.”
Notes a communique: Lowe Lintas has crafted a campaign that aims to rebuild a positive, genuine perception about the BMC and help reinforce their trust in the civic body, while highlighting the magnitude of the work that it has been doing for Mumbai.
Added Sagar Kapoor, CCO, Lowe Lintas: “We had the most unique briefing sessions on BMC. We were just asked to send our team to key BMC operational zones and observe. To meet the BMC staff and observe them. Our team came back all inspired ready to fire with stories that were true and tugging at the heart. We just learned one fact. These people do not just see their work as a service, they truly loved Mumbai. Hence we captured real people with real stories. A special mention to our team at LinProductions and our directors who also are a part of the writing and conceptualising creative team at Lowe Lintas Mumbai.”
We should perhaps ask celebrated RJ Malishka what she thinks of the campaign.
Aditya Birla Health Insurance has announced the launch of its latest campaign – Rakho Poora Khayal– an awareness campaign that urges women to complete the protection circle by influencing and purchasing health insurance for themselves and their families. This campaign has been launched across ABHICL’s social media platforms.
Speaking about the campaign, Ajay Kakar, Chief Marketing Officer, Aditya Birla Capital Limited said: “As a brand, we are committed to provoking our customers to self-realize their protection needs and to opt for the right health insurance solution. At Aditya Birla Capital our constant endeavour is to share all perspectives on life and money with our customers so that they can make an informed decision for what’s right for them and their family. With ‘Rakho Poora Khayal’, we intend to leave women with the following questions, ‘Are you doing enough to protect your health?’ ‘Is your family completely protected?’ A self-realization will help them veer the family conversation and discussion towards taking adequate protection for their and their family’s health.”
Added Mayank Bathwal, CEO, Aditya Birla Health Insurance: “The role of health insurance in the larger scheme of keeping the family healthy has not been explored. Traditionally, health insurance communications have seemed to communicate directly with the men of the house. This has further played a role in establishing health insurance as a finance tool for serious health problems which is perceived to be outside the domain of women. Through ‘RakhoPooraKhayal’ initiative, our attempt is to raise awareness among Indian women to be the ‘Total Health Guardian’ of their family and complete the circle of protection. This campaign aligns with ABHI’s purpose of inspiring individuals and families to put their ‘Health First’ and our philosophy of ‘Health Insurance for all’.”
The film has been conceptualised and implemented by Abstract Films.
Global smartphone brand Vivo, in association with Cybermedia Research (CMR), announced the results of the study titled ‘Smartphone and their impact on human relationships’, to dive deep into the influence of mobile devices on the consumers and their social interactions. The study evaluates and reports the various dimensions of uninhibited smartphone usage while highlighting the trends, patterns and habits that influence smartphone user actions, moods and preferences.
Said Nipun Marya, Director Brand Strategy, Vivo India: “Smartphones are ubiquitous in our lives today, be it connecting with friends, family, entertainment, eating out or even travel or entertainment. As the “born in the net” generation grows up as digital natives, there is a fundamental change underway within society- redefining relationships, interactions and the very fabric of human emotions and exchanges. This transformation is also an opportunity to harness and drive positive change, reinforce balance and responsible proliferation of technology and its usage amongst consumers. As a brand that believes in the well-being of our customers, we commissioned this study to get insight into a very pertinent issue that we collectively must address and debate as a community.”
Commenting on the survey findings, Prabhu Ram, Head-Industry Intelligence Group, CMR added: “While the explosive surge in smartphones in India has enabled Indians with not just communicating with loved ones, but with myriad other uses cases, including in consuming entertainment and in expressing themselves, our survey results demonstrate that the dependency over smartphones has increased. While smartphone will continue to be the primary go-to device, smartphone users have realized that periodically switching-off would help benefit their personal health.”
Some of the key findings are as below:
# Average Indian spends 1/3rd of their waking hours on their phone, which translates to 1800 hours a year
# 30 per cent fewer people meet family and loved ones multiple times a month (now vs 10 Years ago)
# 1 in 3 people feel that they can’t even have a 5 min. conversation with friends and family without checking their phones
# 73 per cent respondents agree that if smartphone usage continues at the current rate or grows, that it is likely to impact your mental or physical health.
# 3 out of 5 people say that it’s important to have a life separate from mobile phone and that could help them lead to happier lives.
Netcore Solutions announced the success of its Big B virtual assistant on WhatsApp built for Flipkart’s recent Big Billion Days sale. Netcore helped Flipkart leverage Facebook’s Click-to-WhatsApp feature on Facebook Ads by allowing users the real-time experience to chat over WhatsApp with a virtual assistant modelled on the star Amitabh Bachchan.
Said Vikas Gupta, Head of Marketing at Flipkart: “We are a customer-first company that takes pride in pioneering industry-first innovations. Given WhatsApp’s large footprint, we wanted to leverage it to connect deeply with our customers. And that’s why we created The Big B WhatsApp virtual assistant during this Big Billion Days, a unique tech-led engagement model in association with Facebook and our technology partners, Netcore. It made use of several loved features such as emojis, images, and audio – to create a truly engaging experience. We were able to drive almost 1 million interactions with an impressive 7 minutes of engagement per session to drive nearly 20,000 hours of engagement with this initiative.”
Added Kalpit Jain, Group CEO at Netcore: “Today, we exist in a multi-channel environment. In this era of conversational commerce, brands need to engage with their customers in real-time across instant messaging apps such as WhatsApp to deliver differentiated customer experiences. That was the focus when we started building out the Big B virtual assistant for Flipkart. We didn’t want it to be just a gimmick, but wanted to actually power value-driven conversations at scale for Flipkart. We are thrilled to have partnered with a like-minded, innovative company such as Flipkart and look forward to empowering brands fuel personalised customer engagement through WhatsApp as an effective channel of conversion and communication.”
Usha International along with Delhi Golf Club hosted former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara recently.
92.7 Big FM has launched of ‘TreePublic’, a cause which supports plantation of trees and throws light on the importance of plantation. This is in partnership with IDFC First.
